SHAWN DIGIANFELICE
Sports Writer
CENTERVILLE — The Cascade Champions knew the challenge would be steep heading on the road for the opening round of the Region 5-AA tournament Saturday night at Hickman County. Outsized and facing a talented opponent, the Champions absorbed an early barrage of three-pointers before responding with poise and grit, rallying for a stunning 50–48 upset of the district 10-AA champions.
Hickman County stormed out of the gates, knocking down six three-pointers in the first quarter to seize a 20–8 advantage. Tim Puckett and Will McDonald fueled the early surge, while Cascade struggled to keep pace offensively. Senior Kaleb Kelso helped steady the Champions early with five first-quarter points, but the Bulldogs closed the opening frame on a 9–0 run.
Cascade began to chip away in the second quarter. Ryder Pilkington opened the scoring, and Kelso repeatedly attacked the rim, getting to the free-throw line to slow Hickman County’s momentum. Despite another deep three from Puckett, the Champions finished the half on an 8–0 run, highlighted by three-pointers from Kelso and Cooper McElroy, cutting the deficit to 29–25 at the break.
The third quarter featured back-and-forth action as Cascade continued its climb. Senior Henry Stone converted at the line before Tristin Billings cleaned up an offensive rebound to bring the Champions within two. Billings later buried a three, and Kelso followed with a basket to give Cascade its first lead of the night at 36–35. Hickman County responded late, reclaiming a 39–37 edge heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter delivered the drama expected of tournament basketball. McElroy tied the game early, and after several lead changes, the Bulldogs surged ahead 44–42 with just over four minutes remaining. Cascade refused to fold, knotting the game at 44 behind clutch free throws from McElroy and Stone. With 2:17 remaining, Tyler Rogers secured a defensive rebound and fired a full-court pass to McElroy, who finished with a thunderous dunk to give Cascade a 46–44 lead. After Hickman County tied the game again, Noah Watson delivered the decisive blow, drilling a clutch three with 45 seconds left to put the Champions ahead for good. Hickman County trimmed the margin to one at the line, but Kelso connected on one of two free throws in the closing seconds. A final Bulldog three-point attempt fell short at the buzzer, sealing the 50–48 victory and a spot in the semifinals.
Cascade head coach Doug Worsley praised his team’s resilience following the slow start.
“Hickman County knocked down some open threes early, and we struggled with our defensive rotations,” Worsley said, “But our guys didn’t panic. We made adjustments, went to the boards hard, and stayed committed to the game plan. That toughness made the difference.”
The upset sends Cascade into a Region 5-AA semifinal showdown with district rival Loretto on Tuesday at East Hickman High School. A trip to the region championship game—and a sectional berth—will be on the line. The contest will follow the opening semifinal between Lewis County and Summertown, with tipoff expected around 7:30 p.m.
Kelso led Cascade with 17 points followed by McElroy with 15. Puckett would lead all scorers with 18 for Hickman Co.
Cascade: 8-17-12-13 — 50
Hickman Co.: 20-9-10-9 — 48
Cascade: Kaleb Kelso 17, Cooper McElroy 15, Noah Watson 5, Tristin Billings 5, Ryder Pilkington 4, Henry Stone 3, Tyler Rogers 1, Gullick
Hickman County: Tim Puckett 18, Will McDonald 7, Dylan Qualls 8, Bradyn Brown 5, Tyler McKennon 4, Brody Worley 2, Jack Floyd 2, Kylan Scale 2
Three-Point Baskets: Cascade (6): Billings 1, Kelso 2, Watson 1, McElroy 2 Hickman Co. (8): Puckett 6, McDonald 1, Brown 1
Halftime Score: Hickman Co. 29 Cascade 25
Records: Cascade 16-13 | Hickman County 18-9
Cascade senior Kaleb Kelso (5) scores 2 of his team high 17 points to lead the Champions to a 50-48 upset victory over Hickman Co. on Saturday night. The win sets up a semifinal showdown with Loretto at 7:30 on Tuesday night at East Hickman High School.
Photo by David Smith